Andre Johnson has concussion, Bernard Pollard may be fined

Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed today that Johnson had a concussion. He sounded optimistic about Johnson’s chances of playing on Sunday at Baltimore, but he cautioned that Johnson will go through the NFL’s concussion protocol, and the Texans won’t know for sure if Johnson can be cleared until the end of the week.

“He’s doing great,” Kubiak said. “It’ll be an end of the week decision because of the protocol.”

Johnson suffered the concussion on a 21-yard catch late in the fourth quarter. Some of Johnson’s teammates were mad at Pollard and mad at the officials for not flagging Pollard.

“I’ve never seen a more blatant blow to the head,” Texans tight end Owen Daniels told the Houston Chronicle. “A big miss by the officials, especially for a guy like Andre. I know you have to protect every player, especially someone like him.”

Pollard acknowledged after the game that he might get fined for the hit, but he said he thinks defensive players are in a tough position with the NFL’s rules.

“It’s hard for us as defensive players to pick our target, you know, so going high or going low, we ain’t right.” Pollard said. “It was a no call but we will see what the front office has to say.”

Although Pollard led with his shoulder, not his helmet, on the hit, he did strike Johnson in the helmet at a time when Johnson was in a defenseless posture. That likely means Pollard will get his paycheck docked by the league office.

The new rule changes are being heard loud and clear with the ridiculous passing yard records, high scoring games and three step protection for any WR coming down with the ball being considered “defenseless.” Throw in the fact that chop blocks are still legal and I dont get why they dont just take the defense off the field entirely. It seems like everytime a defense makes a good play its considered a penalty. I’d be willing to bet fines are at an all time high as well.

The NFL wanted this and it got it. I’m not sure the fans do but this is what were stuck with.

Personally, I found it much more intriguing when there was an actual threat of the defense stopping the offense on a critical play or drive.

I knew it was a concussion the minute I saw the replay. It was evident that the back of Johnson’s head/helmet violently slammed the ground. As far as the hit goes, it wasn’t helmet to helmet or even shoulder pads to helmet. Thus, he won’t be fined.

Pollard absolutely should be fined for this hit. If you watch the replay, the ONLY part of Johnson’s body he could hit was his head, because there was a Titans teammate between Pollard and Andre. Therefore he went for the head, because it was impossible to get any other part of the body. This is exactly what the rules are designed to do. If the head is the only thing sticking out – you shouldn’t hit it.

Pollard can definitely bring the wood as a player, but he has trouble covering dead bodies, let alone NFL receivers. Gave up a bunch yesterday as well.

Pollard absolutely must be fined for playing football and hitting a WR with the ball.
The official explanation given by the Referee was:

“Failure of the defender to strike the offensive player in a manner that would allow him to catch the ball without risk of missing playing time to increase the likelihood that fans who had him on their fantasy teams will continue to gladly hand over much needed revenue for the league, which only brings in less than 10 Billion per year.”

If you look closely, pollard deliberately uses his forearm to hit Andre in the head. It was unnecessary, and unsuccessful…because Andre made the catch even with pollard’s cheap shot. The ref’s must have taken that play off…they didn’t throw a flag and they incorrectly ruled it an incomplete pass. And before you accuse me of being a biased Texans fan, let me add that Kareem Jackson’s illegal hit on the titans receiver deserves a huge fine. If Jackson does something that blatant again, he should be fined AND suspended.

Tennesseeoilers.com, Pollard WILL BE FINED! PERIOD! Doesn’t matter if you lead with Helmet or Arm, if you target an unprotected player as Johnson was and hit him in the Head, YOU WILL BE FINED or SUSPENDED! Same with Kareem Jackson. He will be fined also.

Players usually claim that they would rather be struck in the head than in the knee. I believe it was the Texans defense that tore Kenny Britt’s knee up two years ago about this time. I am guessing that Britt and Johnson would agree, hit me high, not in the knees. Not to mention, Pollard used his pads not his helmet to assist in the tackle. Even the announcer said that there was such a small window to hit Johnson out of bounds and Pollard nailed it. It was a great play all around except that it was ruled a complete pass. The NFL needs to have a long discussion about what a catch is or isn’t. It was ruled incomplet and should have been really hard to overturn.

“I’ve never seen a more blatant blow to the head,” Texans tight end Owen Daniels told the Houston Chronicle. “A big miss by the officials, especially for a guy like Andre. I know you have to protect every player, especially someone like him.”
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No, all players aren’t protected Owen. Only QBs, WRs, and OL. If you’re any other position, particularly on defense, you’re on your own.
No fines for cut blocks. No fines for holding by the offense. No fines for stiff arms by RBs. Make a hard tackle though, and you’re short $7500-$100000.

I would love it if a defensive unit refused to go on the field in protest of all these rules…they might as well start handing out flags and change the name to the National Flag Football League or the Powder Puff Football League…oh wait there’s already one of those

How odd is it that Pollard is not suspended but a few years ago God-del went after Harrison for extra hits. Pollard has been know and gone from team to team for this action on the field. Another year of Gödel and his henchman showing the know non consistent action by the league.

Many fans of the NFL will be cheering the day they carry this piece of crap off the field on a stretcher. He’s the dirtiest player in the NFL. Guess being dirty covers up for certain flaws in his game. What a POS.

I know it is terrible to see your NFL stars go down with a violent hit. However the sport is violent by nature which is why we really love it so much. It sucks that AJ got hurt like so many others but get over the fines bc without these hits it wouldn’t be American Football anymore. America is tough and we love hard game changing hits that strike fear in the hearts of Offenses and Defenses. These players are aware of the injuries today so there are no tears for me on someone getting lit up. Pollard got lit up a few times by Foster that game as well. (2 pnt. Conv)

That’s the only way Pollard gets on the highlight reel, cuz it sure isn’t from his cover skills. Glad that weak link in the secondary is gone…. Mark my words though, he’ll be first in line though if the players ever sue the NFL again for brain trauma.

I watched this play multiple times in the live broadcast as the original call was an incomplete pass (which was the wrong call) Bottom line, the hit was clean. Pollard led with the shoulder and although minor contact was made with Johnson’s helmet that is not what caused the concussion. When Johnson went to the ground his head whip lashed backward and struck the ground violently. That is where the concussion occurred.

It’s not all dirty hits though. Welker’s ACL went on the cut before Pollard hit him. He wrapped Gronk around the waist and momentum just swung his body around on top of Gronk’s ankle. The Brady hit was legal at the time too and rules were changed because of it.

I don’t think Pollard is dirty or evil or anything. But there is something reaperish about this guy…